Unfocused electrohydraulic lithotripter

1. An invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter comprising:

an electrohydraulic probe comprising a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe; and

a rounded lead contact surface positioned at a distal end of the probe, where the rounded lead contact surface is adapted to receive a force opposing advancement of the electrohydraulic lithotripter through a lumen;

wherein the rounded lead contact surface is spherically shaped; and

wherein the rounded contact surface has a diameter of approximately 0.585 inches.

2. The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are cylindrical electrodes.

3. The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1 , wherein the electrohydraulic probe comprises metal.

4. The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second electrohydraulic probe comprising a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the second probe such that when the second probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the second probe.

5. An invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter comprising:

an electrohydraulic probe comprising a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe; and

a rounded lead contact surface positioned at a distal end of the probe, where the rounded lead contact surface is adapted to receive a force opposing advancement of the electrohydraulic lithotripter through a lumen;

wherein the rounded lead contact surface is a bead shape positioned at a distal end of the probe.

6. The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 5 , wherein the rounded surface has a radius of approximately 0.026 inches.

7. An invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter comprising:

an electrohydraulic probe comprising a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe; and

a rounded lead contact surface positioned at a distal end of the probe, where the rounded lead contact surface is adapted to receive a force opposing advancement of the electrohydraulic lithotripter through a lumen;

a water-tight flexible material surrounding at least a portion of the distal end of the probe;

a first channel in communication with an interior of the water-tight flexible material and configured to provide a pathway to infuse the water-tight flexible material with a liquid; and

a second channel in communication with the interior of the water-tight flexible material and configured to degas the liquid within the water-tight flexible material.

8. The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 7 , wherein the water-tight flexible material comprises Mylar.

9. An invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter comprising:

an electrohydraulic probe comprising a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe; and

a rounded lead contact surface positioned at a distal end of the probe, where the rounded lead contact surface is adapted to receive a force opposing advancement of the electrohydraulic lithotripter through a lumen;

wherein the electrohydraulic probe is covered with a hydrophilic coating.

10. A method comprising:

advancing an invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter though a lumen, the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter comprising:

an electrohydraulic probe comprising a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe; and

a rounded lead contact surface positioned at a distal end of the probe, where the rounded lead contact surface is adapted to receive a force opposing advancement of the electrohydraulic lithotripter through a lumen;

a water-tight flexible material surrounding at least a portion of the distal end of the probe;

a first channel in communication with an interior of the water-tight flexible material and configured to provide a pathway to infuse the water-tight flexible material with a liquid; and

a second channel in communication with the interior of the water-tight flexible material and configured to degas the liquid within the water-tight flexible material;

in conjunction with advancing the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter through the lumen, positioning the electrohydraulic probe adjacent to a target; and

discharging the probe such that a resulting shockwave radiates from the distal end of the probe and impacts the target.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the rounded lead contact surface is one of a bead shape that is posited at the distal end of the probe, a spherical shape, or a donut shape.

12. The method of claim 10 , where the target is tissue.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the target is a concretion.